Mangaluru: The Dakshina Kannada Mogaveera Samyukta Sabha has issued a 48-hour ultimatum to the state government to fulfil its demands in connection with the death of fisherman Somanath Putran, warning of intensified protests across the coastal region if action is not taken.
Addressing a press conference at the auditorium of Urwa Mariyamma Temple on Monday, November 2, Sabha president Bharat Ullal alleged that Somanath, a member of the Mogaveera fishing community, died by suicide on October 27 after facing mental harassment by personnel at Surathkal Police Station.
The Sabha has demanded an impartial judicial or CID investigation, action against the police personnel concerned, the arrest of two individuals whose names were reportedly mentioned in the deceased’s wife’s complaint, and compensation of Rs 2 crore to the bereaved family.
Judicial inquiry and action against police demanded
Bharat Ullal said Somanath was the sole breadwinner of his family and had no criminal background. His death, he said, had deeply shocked the fishing community and created an atmosphere of fear among fishermen along the coast.
Among its principal demands, the Sabha has sought an impartial investigation by a judicial authority or the Criminal Investigation Department (CID), preferably under the supervision of a serving or retired district judge.
It has also demanded that police personnel allegedly responsible for mentally harassing Somanath be booked under the relevant provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and immediately suspended.
The organisation has sought the arrest within 48 hours of Kajol, reportedly from Delhi, and Riyaz, reportedly from Kerala, whose names were allegedly mentioned in the complaint filed by Somanath’s wife.
It has further demanded that the investigation report be made public within 30 days and that the government provide Rs 2 crore in compensation to the family through the Chief Minister’s Relief Fund.
Seeks preservation of police station records
Ullal expressed suspicion over the alleged omission of the names of those responsible for the incident from the FIR. He called for the immediate securing of CCTV footage, the general diary and all other relevant records from Surathkal Police Station.
The Sabha has also demanded that the government take full responsibility for the education of Somanath’s children and ensure protection for witnesses and family members against what it described as the possibility of false cases.
It has called for departmental action against the police personnel concerned and senior officers who allegedly directed them.
Other demands include establishing a dedicated ‘Fishermen’s Protection Cell’ at coastal police stations and providing special training to police personnel on dealing with members of the fishing community.
Sabha questions circumstances leading to incident
Explaining the circumstances surrounding the incident, Ullal questioned the police action against Somanath. He alleged that the fisherman had been targeted despite attempting to prevent an incident near his residence.
According to Ullal, a group of five women had arrived in Mangaluru and stayed at a hotel. He claimed that one of them had accompanied a married man who had two children. The Sabha had reportedly submitted a complaint expressing suspicion about the group’s activities, including possible drug consumption or sale.
Ullal maintained that Somanath had neither behaved inappropriately nor consumed alcohol. According to his account, Somanath and another person had only asked the visitors to move away from an area they considered potentially unsafe and proceed towards the beach.
He alleged that the woman and her companion verbally abused them in English.
Ullal also questioned why a case was registered when, according to him, Kajol had reportedly requested that Somanath be warned and released without an FIR being filed.
He further alleged that Somanath feared continued police harassment and possible trouble for his wife and children. Ullal referred to the suicide note while explaining the family’s concerns. The allegations and the circumstances described by the Sabha have not been independently established.
Community rejects allegations of moral policing
Speaking at the press conference, Vasudeva Bolar said there had been earlier confrontations between suspected drug peddlers and local residents in the area.
He clarified that the community had not engaged in moral policing and said its members did not even know the identity of the young man involved in the incident.
Bolar described the police inspector as a good person but maintained that the situation had not been handled effectively. He warned that the community would launch an agitation similar to its earlier protests if justice was not delivered through a judicial inquiry.
Another speaker, Charan, said the incident concerned the dignity and identity of the fishing community. He pointed out that the area was part of their traditional space and closely connected with their livelihood.
He recalled the role played by fishermen in assisting the police during emergencies, including recovering bodies from rivers and beaches and helping with inquest proceedings.
“Whenever someone drowns in a river or at the beach, fishermen are called upon to recover bodies and assist the police during inquest proceedings. Shouldn’t the police show at least basic courtesy towards the same community?” he questioned.
Charan said the community would remain united whenever its dignity and identity were threatened. He also challenged the police to obtain and examine the available video footage of the incident.
Local resident raises questions over police response
Local resident Girish said police personnel had arrived at around 11.30 pm and taken those involved in the incident to the police station.
He claimed that the woman had stated in her complaint that Somanath had not physically touched her. He further alleged that the police had made four individuals apologise to her for verbally abusing her.
Ullal also criticised certain YouTube channels, smaller media platforms and television channels for allegedly portraying the Mogaveera community as a group of drunkards. He said such portrayals had damaged the community’s reputation and dignity.
Warning of district-wide agitation
Reiterating its demands, the Dakshina Kannada Mogaveera Samyukta Sabha said the government must respond within 48 hours.
The organisation warned that failure to take action would lead to a large-scale protest across the coastal belt.
The Sabha has placed its demands before the government and police authorities, seeking accountability and an impartial investigation into the circumstances surrounding Somanath Putran’s death. The response of the authorities and the findings of any investigation will be crucial in addressing the concerns raised by the family and the fishing community.